Vacuum tank



Dec. 1

Filed Jan. 10. 1924 1,563,516 5. MULLER v VACUUM TANK 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR;

Enriqueflulle BY W I TORNEY.

Dec. 1, 1925. I 1,563,516

E. MULLER V VACUUM TANK Filed Jan. 10. 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 V 7a 85 15 1 Fag. 4 1 81 I? 05 10 73 7 I 71 v J 71 I L E I 49.; a1 02 X 5 .9 I 07 a9 X '5 J 1 0 .91 9 25 R 2'3 2 I, 1 ,2 7 J21 J20 1 4 '0 :T. ,2: f: 5 1 I :jl 1

INVENJ'IOR.

Patented Dec. 1, i925.

ENRIQUE MllLLER, OF CHIHUAHUA, MEXICO.

VACUUM TANK.

Application filed January 10, 1924.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ENRI UE MiiLLnn, a citizen of Mexico, residing at Chihuahua, Mexico, have invented certain new and use ful Improvements in Vacuum Tanks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a vacuum tank for use in connection with fuel feeding systems for carburetors of motor vehicles, more particularly to the vacuum controlling valve mechanism employed in such systems, and has for its object to pro ide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a vacuum tank having a simplified vacuum controlling valve mechanism and with the elements of such mechanism so set up and co-related as to ensure proper functioning when occasion demands, thereby obtaining a satisfactory feed of fuel and furthermore reducing carburetor trouble to a minimum.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a vacuum controlling valve mechanism including a suction controlling valve element, an air supply controlling valve element, and a common operating means for said elements, whereby the alternate func tion of closing the suction inlet and opening the air inlet, when occasion demands, will be attained, and with said operating means and elements so co-related that the alternate functioning of the air supply and suction depends directly upon each other.

Further objects of the invention are to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a vacuum tank including a controlling valve mechanism therefor, which is ext-remely simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, thoroughly efiicient in its use, readily set up, and comparatsvely inexpensive to manufacture.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination anl arrangement of parts, as hereinafter more specifically described and illustrated in the a companying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understoo'l that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which come within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

Figure 1 is vertical sectional view of a vacuum tank, in accordance with this in- Serial No. 685,388.

vention, for use in connection with fuel feeding systems for the carburetors of motor vehicles.

Figure 2 is a section on line y-y, Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a section on line 2 2, Figure 1. I

l igure i is a vertical sectional View of a modified form of vacuum tank and controlling valve mechanism therefor.

Figure 5 is a section on line m-00, Figure l.

F igure 6 is a another modified form, in vertical section, of a vacuum tank in accordance with this invention.

l igures 7 and 8 are sectional views of modified forms of suction valve.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings in detail, 1 denotes a hollow cylindrical member of substantial diameter and height and which constitutes the body portion of the tank. The member 1, at its upper end, is formed with an inwardly extending annular flange 2, upon which is seated a gasket 3, and positioned upon the gasket 3 is a circular closure 4, for the upper end of the member 1.

The closure l, centrally thereof, is procided with an opening 5, and formed integral with the upper face of the closure 4 is a hollow cylindrical extension 6, having a head piece 7 provided with a port 8, which opens into the chamber 9, formed by the extension 6. The wall of the chamber 9 forms a continuation of the opening 5. The head piece 7 is provided with a vertically disposed interiorly threaded collar 10 of a greater inner diameter than the diameter of the port 8, and threadably engaging with the wall of the collar 10, is a pipe 11 adapted to be attached to the intake manifold or to some other part of the engine, where the suction produced by the cylinders of the en gine withdraws the air from a vacuum chamber to be hereinafter referred to. The extension 6, in proximity to its lower end, is formed with a pair of air inlet ports 12, which depend downwardly and inwardly and open into the chamber 9 at the lower end thereof.

The closure 4 is fixedly secured to the gasket 3 and flange 2 through the medium of a series of bolts 13, which extend down through the closure l, gasket 3 and flange 2, and carry on their lower ends securing nuts 14 solidly attached in any suitable manner to the flange 2.

The lower end of the member 1 is closed through the medium of an inverted conoid-- al-shaped bottom 15, flanged as at 16 for connection with the periphery of the memher 1. The bottom 15 has a centrally dis posed drain port 17, which is controlled by a draw-01f cook 18. The bottom 15 is furthermore provided with an opening 19 through which extends the end terminal portion 20 of a fuel conducting pipe 21, which leads to a carbureter, not shown. The inner end of the pipe 21 is arranged above the inner face of the bottom 15.

The hollow cylindrical member 1, in connection with the closure 4 and bottom 15, provides a tank which is divided into a vacuum chamber 22 and a fuel receiving chamber 23. Thechambers 22 and 23 are provided by a flanged partition 24, which is arranged within the body member 1, intermediate its top and bottom and fixedly secured in position.

Surrounding the extension 0, as well as being secured therewith, and further extending to the upper face of the closure 4, is a foraminous conoidal-shaped plate 25, formed with a vertical flange 26 which abuts against the extension 6. The plate 25, is of less length than and terminates at a point removed from the upper end of the extension 6, and opposes the inlets 12. The foraminous plate 25, in connection with a part of the extension 6 and a part of the closure 4, provides a chamber in which is arranged a filtering medium 27 and which acts to filter the air which is passed through the plate 25 and is travelling towards the inlets 12.

Secured to the lower face of the closure 4, by the hold-fast devices 28, is a disk 29 formed with an opening 3) of less diameter than the diameter of the opening 5. The opening 30 communicates with the opening 5, and that portion of the plate 29 which projects across the lower end of the opening 5 and which is indicated at 31, constitutes a stop for arresting the downward movement of a duplex valve to be presently referred to, and which is employed for controlling the air supply and suction.

Extending down through the closure 4, gasket 3, flange 2,through the chamber 22'. partition 24 and opening into the chamber 2 i, is a tube 32, which at its outer end is adapted to communicate with the atmosphere. This tube is also utilized for supplying fuel to the chamber 23 to start the engine when occasion requires.

The tube 32 has its upper end provided with a funnel 33, carrying a removable perforated cap 34, and further provided with the lower terminus of the leg 41.

a removable filtering means 35. If it is desired to supply a liquid fuel to the chamber 23, the cap 34 and filtering medium are removed. After the necessary amount of fuel has been supplied to the chamber 23, the filtering medium and cap are replaced. The filtering medium is used to filter air passing through the tube 32 into the chamber 23.

The closure 4 has an opening with its wall threaded, and engaging therewith is an elbow-shaped coupling member 37 for connecting the chamber 22 to a liquid fuel tank, not shown. The vertical leg of the coupling 3? is secured in the opening 36 and opens into the chamber 22. Secured to the lower face of the closure 4 and extending at an inchnation is a deflector 38, which is arranged in the path of the fuel as it is discharged from the coupling 37. The deflector 38 directs the fuel as it enters the chamber 22, in a direction towards the wall of the chamber.

The fuel within the chamber 22 is indicated at 39, and that Within the chamber 23 is indicated at 40. The fuel is fed from the chamber 22 into the chamber 23 through the medium of a removable valved supply element and which consists of an angleshaped body portion formed of a hollow vertical leg 41 and a downwardly inclined hollow lower leg 42, which projects from The leg 41 extends up through a central opening 43 formed in the partition 24. The opening 43 is of greater diameter than the diameter of the leg 41 and the leg 41, at its top, has a laterally extending annular flange 44, which opposes the upper face of the partition 24. Intel-posed between the flange 44 and the partition 24 is a gasket 45. The partition 24, flange 44 and gasket 45 are secured together by hold-fast devices 46.

The lower terminus of the leg 43 bevelled, as at 47, to provide a seat for a disk valve 48, which is shiftably supported from the lower terminus of the leg 42, by a pair of headed supporting members 49, which extend from the lower terminus 47 of the leg 42, at a forward inclination and extend through the valve 48 which is shiftably mounted upon the members 49. The leg discharges the fuel into the chamber 23 at one side of the axis thereof. The valve 48 controls the discharge of the fuel from the leg The leg 41 with its parts is removable to allow for occasional cleaning of the valve 43.

The discharge of the fuel from the chamber 22 into the leg 41, is controlled by a substantially elongated peripherally grooved guide element 50, provided at its upper end with an annular flange 51, which seats on the upper end of the leg 41 when the guide 50 is in its lowermost position. The guide is guided in its movement by the leg ll and the grooves of the guide 50 permit of the passage of the gasoline or fuel to the compartment or chamber 23.

Operating within the chamber 9 is the duplex valve referred to and which consists of a piston 52 of substantial length and which operates against the side wall of the chamber 9, and its function is to close the inlets 12. Centrally of the upper and of the piston 52 it has formed integral therewith a cone-shaped valve 58, coacting with the seat 5% for the purpose of cutting olf the suction action had on the chamber 22, through the medium of the piston of the engine. The piston 52 is formed with a series of lengthwise extending ports or passages 55, which when the valve 53 is unseated, establishes communication between the cylinder of the engine and the chamber 22. When the valve 58 is seated, the suction is cut off and the vacuum chamber 22 is connected with the atmosphere by ports 12.

The piston 52 of the duplex valve is connected to the guide 50 by a guide rod 56, which at its upper end has threaded engagement with the piston 52, as at 57, and at its lower end has threaded engagement with the guide 50, as at 58. Loosely mounted on the guide rod 56 is a sleeve 59 of substantial length, which is provided at its upper end with a laterally extending annular flange 60, and at its lower end with a laterally extending annular flange 61. The flanges 60 and 61 provide means for connecting a float 62 of any suitable form to the sleeve 59. Can ried by the guide rod 56, above the float 62, is an adjustable stop 63 for limiting the upward movement of the float 62. On the lowering movement of the float 62, it enthe flange 51 of the guide 50 and by its weight and through the action of the rod 56 shifts the cylindrical duplex valve 52 downwardly to open the suction and close the atmospheric pressure.

In connection with the form of vacuum tank shown in Figure 1, normally the drawoff cook 18 is closed, as it is only open to drain the tank to free it from sediment accumulated at the bottom. \Vhen the ports 12 are open the fuel from the chamber 22:5 flows through the pipe 21 to the carbureter. The fuel flows freely by gravity from the chamber 22 into the chamber 23 through the supply element and consists of the leg 11 and (t2, and. shifts the valve 4:8 to permit of the discharge of the fuel. at the lower end of the log 42. The outward movement of the valve 4.8 is arrested by the heads of the member 49. y

The chamber 22 is connected with the atmosphere by the inlets 12. The valve 5% closes the suction from the engine at the pipe 11 and is maintained in such position by the suction. Vi hen the level of liquid in the chamber 22 lowers, float 62 moves therewi h and comes to rest on the flange 51. At this time the weight of the rod 56 and its attached parts, in addition to the weight of the float overcomes the suction of the engine, and the float and rod and the attached parts fall down. When the guide rod 56 lowers in the manner as stated, the duplex valve is carried therewith, until it comes to res on the stop 55, and when in this position the duplex valve closes the ports 12 exclud ing atmospheric pressure in the chamber 22 and which opens the chamber 22 to the suction of the engine. fit this time the suction of the engine forms a vacuum in the chamber 22, due to the fact that the engine will act on the chamber 22 through the ports or passages 52. As this vacuum forms in the chamber 22, the atmospheric pressure, through the tube 32, has an overhead in chamber 23 and acting on disk valve as closes the same, thus shutting off the supply of fuel from the chamber 22 into chamber 23. At this point the fuel is sucked from the storage tank, not shown, through the elbow 37 into the chamber 22, and the deflector 38 prevents incoming fuel from impacting on the float (52 and the incoming fuel is directed towards the wall of the chamber 22.

As the level of the fuel now being supplied to the chamber 22 raises, the float 62 will be carried therewith, until the float abuts against the stop (33, (the latter is adjusted to regulate the amount of fuel to be drawn into the chamber 22), and on a further upward movement of the float 62 it will carry the guide rod 56 therewith, which in turn will carry upwardly the duplex valve. As the duplex valve moves upwardly it will arovide for the closing of the suction and the opening of the ports 12. The ports 12 are so located that the lower edge of the piston 52 is upper tangent to them, with the valve 53 at its highest position, so that at this moment atmospheric pressure has full access to the chamber 22, and the suction is arrested by the seating of the valve 53 and which is held in position by the same suction. Now, the atmospheric pressure having access to the chamber 22 allows the liquid fuel to flow freely by gravity into chamber 23, lifting valve 48.

It is thought that the advantages of the structure as set forth are obvious, as it is of the utmost simplicity, in that to operate the alternative functioning of the suction and the air inlets, there is just one moving part besides the float. It is thought that the efficiency of the device is obvious as the alternative functions of the air inlets and suction depend only and absolutely directly upon each other without a single intermediate part or element.

In the modified form shown in Figure l, the tank includes a hollow cylindrical body portion formed of a transparent upper section 64: constr cted of glass and a lower section 65 formed of metal. interposed between the sections 6% and 65 is a partition member 66 formed with a rim 67, which extends above and below the partition 66. The inner diameter of the rim 67 is greater than the outer diameter of the upper section 61, and the latter seats upon the partition 66, and interposed between the lower portion of the periphery of the section 64 and the upper portion of the inner face of the rim 67 is a sealing medium 68. The inner diameter of the lower portion of the inner face of the rim 67 is the same as the outer diameter of the section 65, and the latter has its upper end abutting against the lower face of the partition 66, and said section 65 abuts against and is secured to, in any suitable manner, the inner face of the rim 67. Mounted on the upper end of the section 64 is a gasket 69, and positioned upon said gasket 69 is a closure 70 for the upper end of the section (it. The closure 70 has a depending annular flange 71, which abuts against the periphery of the section 64, at the upper end thereof. The flange 71 is of the same diameter as the flange 67, and the said flanges are secured together by headed tie rods 72, which extend through the flange 71 and have threaded engagement, as at 7 2, with the flange 67.

Secured to the lower end of the section 65 is a bottom forming member for the lower end of said section 65, and the said member is indicated at 73, and is substantially of the same construction as the bottom 15, shown in Figure l, and said bottom member 7 3 is provided with a draw-off cock 74 and a fuel feed pipe 75 which leads to a carbureter, not shown, and with the inner terminus of the pipe 75 extended above the inner face of the bottom 73.

The section 64:, in connection with the closure 7 0 and partition 66, provides a vacuum chamber 76. The section 65, in con nection with the bottom 73 and partition 66, forms a fuel receiving chamber 77. As the section 64 is transparent, the operating mechanism within the chamber 76 is visible, so that the position thereof can be quickly ascertained.

The closure 70, centrally thereof, is provided with an opening 78, and formal integral with the upper face of the closure 70 is a tubular extension 79 providing a valve chamber 80, and with the wall thereof forming a continuation of the wall of the opening 78. The extension 79, at its upper end, is closed by a head piece 81, provided with a bevelled opening 82 constituting a valve seat, and communuicating with said opening is a port 83. Projecting from the head piece 81, is an interiorly screw threaded collar 8% into which opens the port 81. The collar 8st is provided for connecting with the extension 79 a suction pipe 85 which indirectly communicates with the cylinder of the engine, not shown.

Secured to the lower face of the closure 70, by the hold-fast devices 86, is a perforated plate 87, which extends across the lower end of the opening 78.

Secured to the lower face of the closure 70, by the hold-fast devices and depending therefrom, is a yoke-shaped guide member 89, formed with openings 90, 91 and 92. The plate 87 is provided with a vertically disposed opening 93 arranged in alignment with the opening 91.

The closure 70, at one side of the extension 79, as well as being substantially spaced therefrom, is formed with an opening 94, having a portion of the wall thereof bevelled as at 9:3, to provide a valve seat. Secured upon the upper face of the closure 70 and surrounding the opening 9% is a vertically disposed casing 96, having a perforated cap 97 and further having arranged therein a filtering medium 98. Normally engaging with the seat 95, is an air controlling valve 99, provided with a depending stem 100 which carries a depending hollow extension 101, arranged above the bottom of the support 89.

The closure 70 is formed at one side of the extension 79, as well as being spaced a substantial distanre therefrom, with an opening 102 having a threaded wall. Engaging with the threaded wall of the opening 102, is the vertical leg of an elbowshaped coupling 103, which has connected therewith a fuel supply pipe 1011 leading from a fuel storage, such as a gasoline tank. The coupling 103 discharges the fuel into the top of the chamber 76.

Arranged within the chamber 76 is a vertically disposed valve stem 105, which also constitutes a guide for a float member to be presently referred to. The upper end of the stem 105, has secured therewith a taper valve 106, which coacts with tie seat 82, for the purpose of closing the chamber 76 to the suction nation from the engine. The stem 105 extends through the opening 91, and the valve 106 extends through the open ing 93 and into the chamber 80. The disk 87 and yoke 89 provide guides for the combined valve and stem, and the stem 105 in proximity to the valve 106 has secured therewith a pin 107 for limiting the downward movementof the stem 105.

The lower end of the stem 105 is provided with a socket 108 formed with a threaded wall, and engaging with the threaded wall of the socket 108 is a threaded shank 109 of a combined guide and foot piece 110 for the stem 105. The foot piece 110 has an enlarged base 111 formed with a recess 112, which opens into a socket 113. Secured to the pttl'lltlOIl '66, centrally thereof, as at 114, is a vertically disposed combined guide and retaining pin 115, which is permanently positioned within the socket 113, and in connection with the disk 87 and yoke 89 maintains the stem 105 in a vertical position.

Slidably mounted on the stem 105 is a sleeve 116 of substantial length and which has its upper and lower ends formed respectively with laterally projecting annular flanges 117, 11.8, and which provide means for connecting a float member 119 to the sleeve 116. The float member 119 may be 01? any suitable material.

Adjustably connected to the stem 105, at a point above the float member 119, is an adjustable stop 120 for arresting upward movement of the float member. and mounted on the stem 105 and formed integral with the stop member 120 is a bar 121, provided with a pair of arms 122, 123, and with the former extending through the opening 90 and the latter through an opening 92. The arm 122 projects into the hollow extension 101, which is carried by the stem of the valve 99.

The partition 66 is formed with an opening 124 provided with a threaded wall, and engaging with said threaded wall is a depending elbow-shaped supply element 125, which extends into the chamber 77. The lower end of the element 25 is bevelled, at 126 to provide a valve seat for a shiftable disk valve 127 and the latter is coupled with the element 125 by a pair of headed members 128 which limit the opening movement of the valve 127.

Arranged outside of the chamber 76 and extending down through the flanges 71 and 67 and the opening into the chamber 77, is a tube 129 Wl'llC-l'l communicates with the atmosphere, and the upper end of the tube 129 is provided with a combined filtering and funnel element 130 serving the same purpose as the elements 33, 34k and 35, referred to in connection with Figure 1.

WVhen the valve 106 is unseated, the suction of the engine acting on the chamber 76 will rarefy the air therein, thus allowing the fuel to enter the chamber 76 by atmospheric pressure. Atmospheric pressure retains the valve 127 closed, as such action can be had through the tube 129. The valve 99 is kept closed by the same action. The supply of fuel gradually raises the float member 119 until the float member engages the stop 120, and as the float member 119 continues to raise, it will carry the stem 105 therewith. The stem 105 with the valve 106 gradually moves towards the valve seat 82. As the float 119 continues to move upwardly, the elements supported by the stem 105 are carried therewith, and as the float 119 moves upwardly it gradually reduces the sectional surface of suction. When the float comes to a point where suction power is greater than the weight of the stem 105, and the elements carried thereby, it is suddenly sucked and raised to close the valve 106. The arm 122 is of such length, that at the moment when the stem 105 is suddenly sucked and raised, the upper end of the arm 122 is near the bottom of the tubular extension 101 so that the sudden, rapid upward movement of the arm 122 caused by the vertical movement of the stem 105 engages the extension 101 and opens the valve I 99, thus allowing the action of the atmospheric pressure within the chamber 76. This manner of operation could be inverted by making the arm 122 a little longer whereby the valve 99 is lifted before the sudden upward movement of the valve 106. The atmospheric pressure has now action into the interior of chamber 76, by this, the suction power at 82 is increased and this is what now causes the sudden upward movement of the stem 105 with its parts and with it the closing of the valve 106 cutting the suction off. This arrangement does not require to wait a sudden, upward movement of valve 106, for in this case the clearance between the valve 99 and its seat 95 is too small. The arm 123 serves only as a ,{luide and to counter-balance the weight of the arm 122. At this time the suction of the engine will maintain the valve 106 closed and the valve 99 open. By gravity the fuel raises the valve 127 and enters the chamber 77. As the fuel is consumed by the engine, its level sinks and the float lowers. When the chamber 76 is nearly empty, the weight of the float rests on the base 111, exerting a gradually increasing pressure downward. and it comes to a point where the weight of the stem and float overcomes the suction of the engine. At this time the stem 105 falls, thus unseating the valve 106 and releasing the valve 99, so that it will close, whereby the suction of the engine will act on the chamber 76, thereby providing for a supply of fuel through the coupling 103. As long as the suction of the engine acts on the chamber 76 no fuel will pass to the chamber 77, as the disk valve 127 will be kept closed by atmospheric pressure through the tube 129 until the upper chamber 76 is filled to its limit and the suction is closed at valve chamber and valve 99 opened by the lifting of stem 105 with its parts.

Referring to the modified form shown in Figure 6, the tank consists of a hollow cylindrical body member 131, divided by the partition 132 into a vacuum chamber 133 and a fuel receiving chamber 134. The chamber 134 is for the same purpose as the chamber 23 or 77 hereinbefore referred to.

The lower portion of tie member 131 is con str .cted similar to that as shown in 1, or as shown in Figure 4.

Connected to the partition 132 and establishing communication between the cham er 133 and 134, is a supply element 135 ilar in construction to the element chamber 133 has closure .1 on, which is of the same construction, as the closure 70. Extending through the chamber 133 opening into the chamber 134, a tube which establishes communication between the chamber and the atmosphere, and is provided with a combined funnel and filtering element 133 constructed similar to the elements 33, and 35 as shown in Figure 1. The closure 136 has an extension 139 similar in construction the extension 79 shown in Figure 4. The extension 139 has a valve seat 140. Carried by the closure 136 is an air inlet valve 141, having a depending stem 142 and wl ich pe fv'ins the same function as the ve 99 in Figure 4. The closure 136 carries a filtering element 142, which is arranged over the valve 141, and said closure 136 has an elbow-shaped co ipling 143, which is connected with a fuel supply and supplies the fuel to the chamber 133.

In the form shown in Fi, jure 6, the plate 87, shown in Figure is dispensed with. The closure 136 is secured to tle flange-d upper end of the body member 131 by the hold-fast devices 144.

Secured to the lower face of the closure 136, by the hold-fast devices a depending yoke-shaped member 146, having its bottom provided with openings 14?, 148 and 149. Extending through the opening 148 is a tubular valve stem 1.50, which has keyed therewith, a. at 151, a ll-shaped member 152, having its a s indii ted at 153 and 154 and each of which fo med with a socket 155. The arm 154 operates through the opening 147, and the arm operates through the opening 149, and the socket 155 of the arm 153 has extending therein the valve stem 142. this arrangement, when the member 152 moves upwardly, the bottom of the socket 155 in the arm 153 will engage the stem 142 and unseatthe valve 141.

The lower end of the tubular stein 150 is peripherally threaded and has connected therewith an interiorly threaded flanged foot piece 156, and positioned on the stem 150, between the member 152 and foot piece 156 is a float 157, which when it moves upwardly will carry the stem 150 therewith.

Secured to the partition 132, as at 158, is a vertically disposed combined guide and retaining pin 159, which projects into the stem 150.

Mounted on the upper end of the stem 150 is a disk 160, and extending therethrough n In and threadably engaging with the stem 150 at the upper portion thereof, is the threaded shank 161 of a suction controlling valve 162, which coacts w'th the seat 140 for the pur pose of closing the chamber 153 to the suc tion action from the engine.

Tn the form shown in Figure 6, the operation is tl e same as that referred to in connection with the construction shown in ure 4, but the amount of fuel drawn in every time smaller but the device works oftener. As in this instance the weight of the suction valve is greater, it is advisable to increase the surface of suction and this is accom" plished by the disk 160 and which loosely surrounds the shank 161.

In lieu of setting up the suction valve 162 in the manner as shown in Figure 6, it may be constructed of the form as shown in Figure 7 and indicated at 163, or it may be set up in a manner as shown in Figure 3, and by reference thereto, 1641- indicated a valve, 165 a shank depending therefrom and provided with a globular end 166 which is mounted in a spherical socket forming member 16?, secured in any suitable manner to the stem 150. This arrangement provides a universal joint connection for the valve 164.

The piston 52, valve 99 and valve 141, each is to be considered as an air inlet controlling valve or a valve for controlling atmospheric pressure to the vacuum chambers 22, 76 or 133. The valves 53, 106, 162, 163 and 164 are to be considered suction controlling valves for the chambers 22, 7 6 and 133. The tank may be constructed of a body member or a body portion formed of one piece or an upper and lower section, and when formed of two sections, the upper section may be constructed of transparent material or otherwise. The closure or closure 136, if desired, may be provided with a deflector 33 in the same manner as that shown with respect to the closure The tube 32, as well as the tubes 129 and 131, is not only employed for admitting atmospheric pressure to the fuel receiving chambers 23, 77 and 13 but further provides m ans whereby when the engine runs out of fuel the ch mbers can be supplied with the same. The air supplied to the chambers 22, 76 or 133, is filtered owing to the fact that a filtering element is arranged over the at mospheric or air valve which cooperates with each of said chambers. The air filter is also provided in connection with tubes 32, 129 and 137, and by this arrangement the air when supplied to the lower or fuel re ceiving chambers is thoroughly filtered to prevent the entrance of foreign matter combining with the fuel.

A vacuum tank set up in accordance with this invention will provide for the proper functioning at all times of the suction and atmospheric valves, due to the fact that the seating of one depends on the unseating of the other, and furthermore, that no intermediate lever mechanism or spring controlled mechanism is employed to provide for the functioning of the valves, the moving parts of the valve mechanism, in accordance with this invention, rigidly perform their functions in. that the stem of the suction valve is employed to directly operate the atmospheric valve when the suction valve is moved to seating position and when un seated it will provide for the seating of the atmospheric valve.

It is thought that the many advantages of a vacuum tank, more particularly the valve mechanism associated therewith, in accordance with this invention, can be readily understood from the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, and although the preferred embodiments of the invention are as illustrated and described, yet it is to be understood that changes in the details of constructionthereof can be had which will fall within the light of'the invention as claimed.

- What I claim is 1. In a vacuum fuel feeding system for motor vehicles, means to provide a suction chamber adapted to communicate with a fuel supply, means to provide a fuel receiving chamber adapted to communicate with a carbureter, said suction chamber provided with a suction port and an inlet for atmospheric pressure, a shiftable suction controlling valve for said port, a gravity seating atmospheric pressure controlling valve for said inlet, a combined suction and float operated vertically movable rigid element extend ing lengthwise of the suction chamber for simultaneously seating the suction valve and unseating the atmospheric pressure controlling valve, means for supplying atmospheric aressure'to the receiving chamber, said atmospheric pressure controlling valve provided with passages for establishing communication between said suction chamber and an engine when said suction controlling valve opens said port, and a fuel supply element leading from the suction chamber and depending into the receiving chamber and provided with a valvular element shifted to open position on the passage of fuel through said element and seated to closed position by atmospheric pressure supplied to the receiving chamber.

2. In a vacuum fuel feeding system for motor vehicles, means to provide a suction chamber adapted to communicate with a fuel supply, means to provide a fuel receiving chamber adapted to communicate with a carbureter, said suction chamber provided with a suction port and an inlet for atmospheric pressure, a shiftable suction controlling valve for said port, a gravity seating atmospheric pressure controlling valve for said inlet, a combined suction and float operated vertically movable rigid element extending lengthwise of the suction chamber for simultaneously seating the suction valve and unseating the atmospheric pressure controlling valve, means for supplying atmospheric pressure to the receiving chamber, a fuel supply element leading from the suction chamber and depending into the receiving chamber and provided with a valvular element shifted to open position of the passage of fuel through said element and seated to closed position by atmospheric pressure supplied to the receiving chamber, a pair of bodies of filtering material, each of said bodies constituting air filtering means and one associated with said inlet and the other with said atmospheric supply means, and means inclosing and retaining said bodies in operative position with respect to said inlet and supply means.

3. In a vacuum fuel feeding system for motor vehicles, means to provide a suction chamber adapted to communicate with a fuel supply, means to provide a fuel receiving chamber adapted to communicate with a carbureter, said suction chamber provided with a suction port and an inlet for atn1os pheric pressure, a shiftable suction controlling valve for said port, a gravity seating atmospheric pressure controlling valve for said inlet, a combined suction and float operated vertically movable rigid element extending lengthwise of the suction chamber for simultaneously seating the suction valve and unseating the atmospheric pres sure controlling valve, means for establishing communication between said chambers, a body of porous material associating with said inlet and constituting air filtering means, and means for enclosing and securing said body in operative position with respect to said inlet.

el. In a vacuum fuel feeding system, means to provide a suction and a fuel receiving chamber communicating with each other, said suction chamber adapted to communicate with a fuel supply and said fuel receiving chamber adapted to communicate with a carbureter, said suction chamber provided with a suction port and an atmospheric pressure supply inlet, controlling valves respectively for said port and inlet, said controlling valve for said inlet provided with passages for establishing communication between said suction chamber and an engine when said port is opened by its controlling valve, and a combined suction and float operated vertically shiftable rigid element extending lengthwise of the suction chamber for simultaneously seating and unseating the controlling valves one with respect to the other.

5. In a vacuum fuel feeding system, means to provide a suction and a fuel receiving chamber communicating with each other, said suction chamber adapted to communicate with a fuel supply and said fuel receiving chamber adapted to communicate with a carbureter, said suction chamber provided with a suction port and an atmospheric pressure supply inlet, controlling valves for said port and inlet, a combined suction and float operated vertically shiftable rigid element extending lengthwise of the suction chamber for simultaneously seating and unseating the control ling valves one with respect to the other, a porous body constituting an air filtering means associated with said inlet, means for enclosing and retaining said body in operative position, and a deflector arranged within the suction chamber for deflecting the fuel as it enters towards the wall of said chamber.

6. In a vacuum fuel feeding system for motor vehicles, means to provide a vacuum chamber, a'suction and an atmospheric controlling valve cooperating therewith, said atmospheric controlling valve provided with passages for establishing communication between an engine and the vacuum chamber when the latter is closed to the atmosphere, and means whereby the suction valve is maintained closed and the atmospheric valve opened by the same suction from the engine.

7. In a vacuum fuel feeding system for motor vehicles means to provide a vacuum chamber having a fuel intake, a curved deflector associating with the said intake for deflecting the fuel as it enters the chamber in a sidewise direction, means to provide said chamber with a suction port and an atmospheric pressure supply inlet, a suction and an atmospheric controlling valve cooperating respectively with said port and inlet, a porous body cooperating with said inlet and constituting an air filtering means, a perforated element enclosing and retaining said body in position, and means whereby the suction valve is maintained closed and the atmospheric valve opened by the same suction from the engine.

8. In a vacuum fuel feeding system for motor vehicles, means to provide a vacuum chamber having a fuel intake, said means including a hollow extension projected from said chamber and formed with a suction port and air inlet ports, a float operated valve mounted in said extension for controlling said ports and formed with passages for establishing communication between said chamber and suction port when said valve is positioned to open the suction port and to close the air inlet ports, said valve when closing the suction port being clear of said inlet ports.

9. In a vacuum fuel feeding system for motor vehicles, means to provide a vacuum chamber having a fuel intake, said means including a hollow extension projected from said chamber and formed with a suction port and air inlet ports, a float operated valve mounted in said extension for controlling said ports and formed with passages for establishing communication be tween said chamber and suction port when said valve is positioned to open the suction port and to close the air inlet ports, said valve when closing the suction port being clear of said inlet ports, a perforated member surrounding said extension and spaced from said inlet ports, and a body of porous material arranged exteriorly of the extension and constituting a filtering medium for said inlet ports, said body retained in position by said member.

10. In a vacuum fuel feeding system for motor vehicles, means to provide a vacuum chamber having a fuel intake, said means including a hollow extension projected from said chamber and formed with a suction port and air inlet ports, a float operated valve mounted in said extension for controlling said ports and formed with passages for establishing communication between said chamber and suction port when said valve is positioned to open the suction port and to close the air inlet ports, said valve when closing the suction port being clear of said inlet ports, a perforated member surrounding said extension and spaced from said inlet ports, a body of porous material arranged exteriorly of the extension and constituting a filtering medium for said inlet ports, said body retained in position by said member, and a curved deflector associating with said intake for deflecting the fuel as it enters the chamber in a direction towards the side wall of the chamber.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature hereto.

ENRIQUE MULLER. 

